Some people think about adventure — and others make their life a living adventure.
Nate Boyer graduated high school unsure about his path in life. Looking for a challenge and to make a difference, he made his way to the Darfur region of Sudan to help in the refugee camps. The experience, coupled with his memories of 9/11, inspired him to enlist in the U.S. Army as a Special Forces candidate, and he became one of 11 from his class of 150 to graduate with a Green Beret. He has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star for heroism in combat.
Pausing from his military service, Boyer sought his next challenge, trying to walk-on to the Texas football team despite never having played on an organized team because his high school did not sponsor the sport. His tenacity and athletic prowess netted him a spot on the team as a defensive back, but he lacked the skills to contribute during live games. He analyzed the roster, and he saw a potential opening at long snapper. He refined his skill, earning a starting job the past two seasons. Former Texas head coach Mack Brown calls his story one of the most inspirational and unique he has ever seen.
I met Nate Boyer while he was training to make the roster for the Seattle Seahawks as a long snapper.
“The act of giving and seeing the difference that I’ve made makes me feel better than anything else could, than whatever car I drive or how much money I make.”
In This Episode:
- Appreciating the process
- Being fueled by negative energy
- Why you can’t be afraid to fail
- Looking up to his father
- Why he got into trouble as a kid
- The “Blue Collar” way
- The challenges of giving your children everything or nothing
- Embracing change and becoming uncomfortable
- What motivated him to go to Darfur
- Confidence v. cockiness
- Having a purpose
- Why making a difference is important to him
- Outworking everyone else
- Utilizing self-talk
- Training the mind to reject negative thoughts